The days of having to buy the top of the line engine in order to get the luxury features and

With a new gearbox, the four-cylinder Malibu is a seriously economical midsize. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

the toys are officially over. The high price of fuel was the last nail in the coffin for that school of thought. A number of automakers, specifically those that produce mainstream, midsize sedans have shifted away from this philosophy. You might’ve noticed that you can walk into a Hyundai or Nissan dealership and drive away with a Sonata or Altima equipped with all the toys and an efficient four-cylinder motor. It isn’t just the Japanese that have been doing it either. In the US, Chrysler is offering the Sebring in Limited trim with its economical four-cylinder engine.

When the all-new Malibu was launched last year, General Motors ensured that it wouldn’t be missing out on this quick-growing trend. Buyers could purchase any trim level, from the base LS all the way up to the range-topping LTZ with the brand’s 2.4-litre Ecotec inline-four, granting them a means of saving at the pumps (and when buying), while still having all of the toys and luxuries. This sort of thing isn’t typical from the General, but such change in attitudes certainly doesn’t hurt given that it’s one the brand’s most important cars, having won 2008 North American Car of the Year and many other awards.

It's nice to have all the luxuries of a top-of-the-line model, but without the fuel bills. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

But there’s always a catch, and in this case it’s got to do with transmissions. Most automakers tend to offer their bigger and more powerful engines with transmissions that feature more gears. Take the Toyota Camry, for instance. If you buy a four-cylinder Camry you get a five-speed automatic, but with the more powerful V6 a six-speed automatic comes standard. Something similar happened with the new Malibu at launch. Most four-cylinder engines were paired off with four-speed automatics, despite the fact that less powerful models could always do with more gears in order to compensate for lower levels of torque, which would improve performance and fuel economy. At launch, top GM executives pledged that this was merely temporary, and that a six-speed automatic would be on the way to more four-cylinder models.

For those who’ve waited patiently, the upgraded automatic has arrived. First available on late model-year 2008 Malibus, specifically in the LTZ, it is also now available as standard equipment on the 2LT trim level and as an option on the 1LT. The base LS and the Malibu Hybrid will continue to feature the four-speeder.

Squint and you'll see it - the script reads "M6", indicating sixth gear. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

The 6T40 automatic transmission is a good match to the 169 horsepower Ecotec four, making good use of its 160 lb-ft of torque. It shifts smoothly, keeping the 2.4-litre unit quiet and refined, but it’s quick to kick down for power on demand. Like the V6-equipped LTZ, it offers TAPshift, which includes Corvette-style paddles and thumb button controls for manual shifting. Interestingly, unlike most midsize sedans the manual mode will not upshift by itself at redline. For sport-oriented drivers this is a good thing.

For those that doubt whether the extra two gears are worth it, have a quick look at its fuel consumption figures. Sixth in the Malibu acts as an extra-long overdrive, helping to drop the highway fuel economy from 6.5 l/100 km to a hardly believable 5.9 l/100 km, which makes it just as efficient as the base Chevrolet Cobalt compact sedan with the smaller 2.2-litre engine. With the gearbox, the Malibu now beats just about every non-hybrid midsize car on the market for highway fuel economy - Altima, Fusion, Camry and Accord included. In the city, fuel economy drops 0.2 l/100 km to 9.4 l/100 km, which is very competitive within the class. Aside from an aerodynamic body, four-cylinder Malibus also feature an electric power steering system to

Smooth and tractable, the 2.4-litre Ecotec is a solid, modern engine. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

further save fuel.

Even though the Malibu is a well designed, well-equipped vehicle, Chevrolet has found additional ways to improve its mainstream midsize. Upgrades for 2009 include standard side curtain and side seat-mounted airbags across the board, as well as standard traction and stability control. That’s a big step forward in standard safety equipment, and is nothing short of a good thing for the buyer. With a growing number of provinces and US states making the use of hand-held cell phones while driving illegal, General Motors has finally added Bluetooth cell phone connectivity as an option. Previously, consumers who wished to make handsfree calls needed to use OnStar’s service, but this is no longer the case. Speaking of OnStar, the latest version, 8.0, has numerous features including turn-by-turn navigation, remote diagnostics and a monthly service report to remind owners of scheduled and routine maintenance items.

GM’s decision to pair up its four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic is nothing short of a good idea, and the improvements it offers to the Malibu’s fuel economy and on road performance are sure to help keep it in buyers’ minds as the years pass and new competitors emerge. However, GM knows that there’s no point in keeping a good idea to just one of its brands. For model year 2009, the Saturn Aura and Pontiac G6, the Malibu’s platform mates, will also gain the four-cylinder and six-speed automatic transmission powertrain, which should increase their respective appeal as well.

Specifications (Malibu I-4):

• Base Price Range (MSRP): $23,395 - $31,250
• Body Type: 4-door sedan
• Layout: front engine, FWD
• Engine: 169 hp, 160 lb-ft of torque, 2.4L, 16-valve DOHC I-4
• Transmission: 6-speed auto w/TapSHIFT manual mode (LS: 4-spd auto)
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, EBD
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,872 / 1,786 / 1,450 / 2,852 mm (192.0 / 70.3 / 57.1 / 112.3 in.)
• Curb Weight (est.): 1,561 kg (3,442 lbs)
• Tires: 225/50R18 (std. 215/55R17)
• Cargo Volume (trunk): 428 L (15.1 cu.ft.)
• Fuel Economy (city/hwy - 6-spd): 9.4 / 5.9 l/100 km
• Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive; 60/160,000 powertrain
• Direct Competitors: Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Kia Magentis, Mazda6, Nissan Altima, Pontiac G6, Saturn Aura, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat
• Web Site: www.chevrolet.gmcanada.com

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(B86) Body Side Moulding

(J005) Standard Gloss Paint

(K05) Engine Block Heater

(U2K) XM Satellite Radio

(58U.) Black Granite Metallic

(UJM) Tire Pressure Monitor

(9L3) Tire Inflation Kit

(UPF) Bluetooth